Author: Conor Forrest

Could you pass your driving test again? According to a survey by Carzone, 91% of Ireland’s motorists believe they could pass the test if they had to retake it, which seems like a case of severe overconfidence, given the distinct lack of indicator use, leaving safe distances, safe overtaking and checking blindspots on Irish roads today.

As I write this I’m sitting in a campsite in Co Clare, surrounded by camper vans, caravans and tents, at the end of a three-day trek through Munster and Leinster. Travelling the highways and byways of Ireland, it’s amazing how much the country has to offer – the Ring of Kerry might be something of a tourist trap, but it’s an incredible trail that takes in some of the best vistas north and south.

There’s an undeniable freedom in this lifestyle, as I’ve found, but driving a rather large vehicle can be a little awkward, particularly if you’re used to a regular-sized car. Enter the Volkswagen California.

Fancy a day of watching Subarus do what they do best, all in aid of a good cause?

The Colin McRae Charity Run is back in Belfast on September 16th, organised by a group of local Subaru enthusiasts and featuring around 150 Subarus from around the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The British have a reputation for building some tantalising low-volume cars, such as the Ariel Atom or the V-Storm WR3, and now you can add the Alcraft GT to that list.

The brainchild of start-up Alcraft Motor Company, the Alcraft GT is an electric vehicle due to start low-volume production in 2019, depending on how successful its newly launched crowdfunding campaign will be. At this stage virtual engineering is complete, and the next step is to build a full working prototype.

BMW’s beloved M5 is now in its sixth generation, more advanced than ever if not quite as good looking as previous incarnations. The grandaddy of the high performance super saloon, the latest edition is set to launch on Irish shores in February 2018, complete with a rebooted 4.4L V8 engine, a new all-wheel drive system (m xDrive) specific to the M-badge as standard, an eight-speed automatic transmission (Drivelogic allows for quicker gear changes), and performance figures that make the M5 the fastest and most powerful 5 Series BMW has produced to date.

The Skoda Karoq, set to replace the much-loved and highly versatile Yeti, is due to arrive in Irish dealerships in early December according to Skoda Ireland. The five-seater compact SUV, essentially a smaller version of the new Kodiaq, will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt International Motor Show next month.

This is the new Audi RS 5 Coupé, a tasty performance car which Audi says is the perfect combination of “elegant aesthetics with everyday usability”. Fabulous to look at and reportedly sensational to drive, it’s a big marker laid down for BMW’s M division.

The figures are certainly tantalising. Powered by a 2.8L V6 bi-turbo engine, you’ll have 450hp and 600 Nm torque at your disposal, with the ability to spring from 0-100km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h.